{"podcast":{"title":"R&B Talks","slug":"r-b-talks-6474719","podcast_index_feed_id":6474719,"rss_url":"https://media.rss.com/randbtalks/feed.xml","website_url":"https://rss.com/podcasts/randbtalks","image_url":"https://media.rss.com/randbtalks/20260201_110255_e644c832c1195c48b0c493106c296cbe.png","author":"Reggie Payne and Brian Kirby","episode_count":135,"summary":"The noise of our culture and the world we live in can be overwhelming. With the vast amount of information that we have access to, there is confusion as to how one should perceive the world. Reggie and Brian are two guys who seek to share their journey and wisdom garnered from their faith and life experience to lend a hand in understanding the reality we live in. We, as men, are here on this earth to be leaders, husbands, fathers, sons, friends, brothers, uncles, nephews, and witnesses. R & B Talks is one place where we try to cut through the noise of the culture and the world and help give some real transparent views on important aspects of life, men, Christianity, or whatever comes up. Join us as we have real unscripted discussions about issues and life. Just 2 guys in 2 chairs talking. ------ Subscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@randbtalks Check us out on Instagram: https://instagram.com/randbtalks?igshid=MmIzYWVlNDQ5Yg== Check us out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095476576481&mibextid=LQQJ4d Also available as a podcast on your favorite platform or via RSS feed here: https://media.rss.com/randbtalks/feed.xml","last_synced_at":"2026-07-06T10:19:49.192208+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/r-b-talks-6474719"},"episode":{"title":"EP134 - Disease or Choice? — Addiction, Cannabis, and What Scripture Actually Says","slug":"ep134-disease-or-choice-addiction-cannabis-and-what-scripture-actually-says","published_at":"2026-06-22T15:38:46+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/r-b-talks-6474719/ep134-disease-or-choice-addiction-cannabis-and-what-scripture-actually-says","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/r-b-talks-6474719","url":"https://rss.com/podcasts/randbtalks/2935112","audio_url":"https://content.rss.com/episodes/217506/2935112/randbtalks/2026_06_22_15_14_53_b50f9cc1-3351-4b55-8d41-36d6fd64a2d7.mp3","summary":"Is addiction a disease or a choice? Two guys work through the medical research, the neuroscience, the sociology, and what Scripture actually says — and land where most of the shouting misses: it's both. Cannabis as medicine for a dying parent, why \"gateway drug\" is looser than you've been told, the trouble with \"once an addict, always an addict,\" and why grace and truth both stay on the table. KEY TOPICS: • Disease model vs. choice/learning model — and why both overreach • Rat Park, environment, and the limits of \"just a choice\" • Carl Hart's choice studies and what they do (and don't) prove • Cannabis: palliative medicine, Christian liberty, and the legality question • \"Gateway drugs,\" nicotine, and medical-grade vs. street-grade substances • A Christ-centered frame: bondage, responsibility, and grace SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: 1 Corinthians 6:12, Romans 7:14–25, Galatians 5:19–23, Proverbs 23:29–35, James 1:14–15, Proverbs 31:6–7, 1 Timothy 5:8, Ephesians 5:18, Psalm 104:14–15, John 2 RESOURCES MENTIONED: • ASAM — Definition of Addiction ( asam.org ) • Volkow, Koob & McLellan, NEJM (2016) • Carl Hart — Nature Human Behaviour (2017); High Price • Bruce Alexander — \"The View from Rat Park\" (2010) • FDA — Epidiolex; Celebrate Recovery ( celebraterecovery.com ) This episode is a conversation, not medical advice. If you're struggling, reach out to a doctor, counselor, pastor, or a Christ-centered recovery ministry. — R&B Talks: 2 Guys. 2 Chairs. Real Christ-Centered Conversation.","meta_description":"Is addiction a disease or a choice? Two guys work through the medical research, the neuroscience, the sociology, and what Scripture actually says — and la…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":5097,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/r-b-talks-6474719/episodes/ep134-disease-or-choice-addiction-cannabis-and-what-scripture-actually-says/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/r-b-talks-6474719/ep134-disease-or-choice-addiction-cannabis-and-what-scripture-actually-says.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}